How To Restore The Colour Of A Faded Rosewood Hard Rubber?

[Silvire]

Hi guys,

 

Ok, I did something stupid.

 

I dunked the cap of my rosewood hard rubber Wahl Signature pen, just the cap, into my ultrasonic cleaner for 30 seconds.

 

I knew water was a problem but I didn't know it was that bad.

 

Yeah ok I'm a dumb twit.

 

Now that we've got that out of the way, erm, is there any way to restore this? My cap is now noticeable lighter shaded/faded than the barrel.

 

Cheers

Shaun

[Roger W.]

You have to polish off the oxidized outer layer to get down to more stable hard rubber. Since it won't be chased it won't be too hard. What water does is wash away already broken chains of hard rubber so the damage was already there you just made it evident.

 

Roger W.

[piter22]

The better way to restore it is to put it into liquid paraffin wax for few hours. It will become darker Polishing is worse if the cap has a pattern.

[Silvire]

@Piter22: Where can I get liquid paraffin, would you know? Is there a specific safe type of brand or something?

@Roger: Thanks! What do you suggest I polish with? Would something like Sunshine polishing cloth work? Or would I need to use something more abrasive?

[piter22]

@Piter22: Where can I get liquid paraffin, would you know? Is there a specific safe type of brand or something?

 

 

In Poland you can get it in a drugstore and I think in other countries too. There's one type - pure paraffin wax. My friend used Nivea creme few days ago but I don't recommend it...

[Silvire]

Hey Piter22, do you mean something like this?

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PURE-Tree-Paraffin-450g-block/dp/B003ZV3SV4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1426034463&sr=8-7&keywords=pure+paraffin+wax

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mystic-Moments-RMPARAWAX500-Paraffin-500g/dp/B0068HHS8G/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1426034463&sr=8-12&keywords=pure+paraffin+wax

[FredRydr]

I disagree. The answer is to polish off the damaged hard rubber, which takes patience. There is no miracle solution, especially with mottled, woodgrain or ripple hard rubber. You are lucky it is a smooth pen and not chased, but the imprint will be affected, so go easy.

 

I use this, and there are others.

 

Fred

Edited March 11, 2015 by FredRydr

[jonveley]

Wax doesn't restore hard rubber.

[freehand]

If the ultrasonic clearer removed some of the oily components in the dyes, a dip in paraffin might restore them. Hard to say. You could dip in just a bit and see.

 

Paraffin wax is widely available as a sealer for bottling jams, preserves, etc. Look in the local grocery. It's hard at room temperature. In many countries, paraffin also refers to liquid kerosene.

 

That said, abrading the surface is likely the best means, but use a fine abrasive to start, progressing to ultra-fine, then a good polish, and don't mess up the plated metal parts.

Edited March 24, 2015 by freehand